Army fields three UH-72A Lakota helicopters for first time on Redstone Arsenal

Brian McGraw, a site manager and test pilot for Sikorsky, looks over a UH-72A Lakota helicopters. (The Huntsville Times/Dave Dieter)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The Army fielded three UH-72A Lakota helicopters for the first time on Redstone Arsenal on Wednesday.

The Product Office for Light Utility Helicopters that manages the UH-72A Lakota will provide three aircraft to the Aviation Flight Test Directorate, part of the Redstone Test Center, and will use them for general support and as a rotary wing chase platform to support the developmental testing of aircraft and aviation systems.

The twin-engine aircraft features a glass cockpit with LCD displays, low-noise rotor blades, state-of-the-art communications package and a multi-functional navigation package. The UH-72A has a payload capacity of up to 1,107 pounds, can carry up to six passengers or 1,500 pounds by a cargo hook. It can fly with speeds of up to 145 knots.

The Lakota is a version of the Eurocopter EC-145 with Army specific mission equipment. It is the newest helicopter to enter service with the Army and has been fielded to both the active Army and the Army National Guard.

As of early this year, more than 200 have been produced.

The UH-72A provides flexible response to homeland security requirements, conducts support to search and rescue operations and supports damage assessment, reconnaissance and surveillance.

The aircraft is replacing aging UH-1 Hueys and OH-58A/C Kiowa Warrior aircraft and has freed up 23 UH-60 Black Hawk aircraft for use in the warfight.

The Army has provided Lakotas to units in 20 states and two territories. The Army will deliver 345 Lakotas by June 2016.

Since its first operational flight, the fleet has already more than 110,000 flight hours supporting homeland security missions, natural disaster assistance and border patrol missions around the world.